BMW has shown their new i3 to the press. It’s the world’s first premium electric vehicle designed from the ground up to be powered by an electric drive system.
BMW Group announced the base price of €34,950 for the BMW i3 in Germany, the company’s first all-electric series production vehicle. The BMW i3 will be available to customers in Germany in November 2013.
The BMW i3 is the result of an integrated development approach aimed at cutting fuel consumption and emissions in urban traffic. The vehicle concept and drive system were developed entirely in-house by the BMW Group.
The 125 kW/170 hp electric motor of the BMW i3 enables locally emission-free driving for a range of between 130 and 160 kilometres (approx. 80 to 100 miles ). When it came to the selection of materials and the production processes, exceptionally high standards were likewise achieved in terms of sustainability and conserving resources. It is also a world first by virtue of bringing together visionary design, pioneering technology and an innovative vehicle concept that includes a passenger cell made of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP ).
Initially, three BMW i models have been confirmed for production, the fully-electric BMW i3 megacity vehicle, the range extended BMW i3 and the plug-in hybrid BMW i8 sports car. The BMW i3 is BMW’s first fully-electric production car and is due to go on sale in Ireland this November. It features an all-aluminium chassis combined with a passenger cell made entirely from lightweight carbon fibre reinforced plastic.
BMW i will encompass a range of premium services for mobility aimed at optimising the use of parking spaces, recharging infrastructure, ‘smart’ navigation systems, intermodal route planning, and access to other BMW vehicles on an ‘on-demand’ basis. BMW is the first premium vehicle manufacturer to offer such a comprehensive ownership package surrounding electric mobility.
BMW Group Ireland managing director John Ives said: “BMW i is not just a new addition to the brand, it is a significant milestone for the automotive industry. BMW Group Ireland is delighted to be partnering with Joe Duffy Motors as the exclusive BMW i agent in Ireland. We look forward to working with Joe Duffy Motors in this exciting step forward which will completely transform the driving and ownership experience for our customers.”
Potential customers can now register their interest for BMW i online at www.bmw.ie
The BMW i3 will makes its global public debut at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt on September 12.
